The Declaration of Independence enumerated quite a litany of grievances against the King of England. I daresay, that list is trivial compared to the history of repeated injuries and usurpations being visited upon us by our present government, while giving lip service to The Constitution at every inauguration. Phooey! Be afraid. Be very afraid. November is coming.
And speaking of Holy Shit! (we were speaking about that, weren’t we?), I almost forgot to include this timeless classic from Rhett and Link. It’s a 4th of July must!
As I am a part of it, I am confident that there will be a National TEA PARTY Addendum to this, the original declaration. WE the American People will once again arise to meet the Liberal threat to OUR beloved country; of that I have no doubt.
It is difficult for some not to feel that events, now confronting us, are the beginning of an end to the greatest experiment the world has ever seen. Not this child; no. fucking. way! And I am far from alone…..From Rick Santelli in 2009 all the way to here in Nevada County and many, many places in between, there arose several millions of decent and honest concerned American citizens who came together and created a common sense way in which to “Restore America” to honor and abide by the same words and deeds of our Founding Fathers.
It was not easy for them nor will it be easy for us, They risked their fortunes and their very lives to make a United States of America. WE vow to do the same and we WILL!
Let us celebrate this 4th of July and those that are sure to follow. I believe with all my heart and mind that all of us here and in the expanse of this original and uniquely exceptional nation will “Make it so!”
God Bless America.
Comment by Colonel Jerry USMC — July 4, 2012 @ 6:48 am
Thanks Colonel Jerry. After the Romney “not a tax” fiasco, I was feeling kind of depressed.
Thanks, Claire, I read it aloud for the first time in years and will take copies to share with the family this afternoon. Maybe start a new tradition. . .
Maria Edi (4)
If your countrymen ever bug you about about your admirable political insight, quote ‘em this:
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government ….
By the ballot and by constitutional amendment of course,
but in any case …
This passage should remind us that electoral cheating is treason, because any government so formed wields unjust power without our consent and is, therefore, “destructive of these ends.” It is illegitimate.
The FedGov does not exist as a state of nature nor as a creation of God. It was created by the People and the States at the stroke of a pen and is maintained by the ballot and our consent. If it is maintained by illegitimate ballot or against our consent, then it is no longer a republican form of government but just another tyrannical Old-World type; and the Declaration of Independence applies once again.
CI(2), LSP (3), Susan Lee (7)
I suspect the next one’s list of grievances will be longer and uglier.
Comment by DougM (jackassophobe) — July 4, 2012 @ 9:56 am
DougM: “… deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”
On our country’s birthday, I took a look at the Declaration and the offenses enumerated in that document that drove the Founders to separate from Great Britain and its King. It looks to me, as some above have noted, like our current government is guilty of many of the same things that drove us to war 236 years ago, and in some cases to a greater degree. Some of the following occurred under Bush Jr. in the aftermath of 9-11, but Uhbama not only continues the offensive behavior long after that tragic event, but cranks up the volume and adds offenses of his own.
Others may be more detailed or eloquent, but here is my take:
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
Ex.: suing Arizona for its illegal alien law, allowing voter intimidation, ignoring contract law in bailing out GM
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
Ex.: Uhbamacare meetings at night, locking Republicans out and attempting questionable procedures such as ‘deeming passed’ to pass the bill, announcing executive orders late Friday evenings to avoid news reports.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
Ex.: DHS, TSA, czars, appointments without Senate approval, 11 agencies, departments and panels in Uhbamacare, new taxes with delayed benefits.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
Ex.: DHS, “a domestic army of 250,000″, 16,000 new IRS agents, arming Dept of Education and IRS, 450,000,000 rounds of ammunition for DHS, civilian drones for domestic surveillance, self written search warrants.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
Ex.: DHS, TSA freely violate 1st and 4th Amendment protections
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation.
Ex.: Patriot Act, DHS, attempting to put us under World Court and UN jurisdiction
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States.Ex.: Claiming executive privilege in the investigation of the murder of Border Patrol Agent Terry
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world.
Ex.: By making manufacturing in the USA non-competitive through taxes and regulations
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.
Ex.: there are at least 21 new taxes in Uhbamacare, and he attempted to pass a Carbon Tax and Cap and Trade.
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury.
Ex.: The most recent Defense Appropriation act has a clause allowing the Executive to arrest and imprison a US citizen without charge or trial
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments.
Ex.: I don’t have much Hope, but there is plenty of Change, for the worse. Uhbama has stated he doesn’t like our Constitution
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
Ex.: Uhbamacare imposed spending on States without the consent of the States.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
Ex.: After unofficially ignoring illegal alien invasions, Uhbama officially told Arizona they were on their own after the recent SCOTUS decision on the Arizona immigration law.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
Ex.: Uhbama has made a career of exploiting group identity and class warfare politics. He continues that and further encourages illegal aliens, drug cartels among them, to flaunt our laws, rob our treasuries and bankrupt public services from both government and private institutions.
A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
With a Congress who actually adhered to their oath of office, this malignant buffoon Uhbama would be impeached, tried and imprisoned.
Comment by dick, not quite dead white guy — July 4, 2012 @ 1:10 pm
As I remember, my Marine Officer’s Oath had no expiration date, and I swore to defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic.
When and if the time comes, there are a Lot of us out here.
Comment by dick, not quite dead white guy — July 4, 2012 @ 5:19 pm
dick, nqdwg, Wollf and others: As I’ve said before, I don’t believe that part of the oath had an expiration date, just a date after which I was no longer required to “preserve, protect and defend” 24/7.
Or as one recruiter “joked”: “If we ever see Russian submarines at the bridge in Vicksburg, we’ll give ya a call.”
I had some encouragement while visiting my small UP home town for da Fortchuly–Generations of staunch Democrats for the workers are mad as hell at what’s happened to our country– Freedom and America comes first!!
Very good posts by everyone– as usual–
The Declaration of Independence enumerated quite a litany of grievances against the King of England. I daresay, that list is trivial compared to the history of repeated injuries and usurpations being visited upon us by our present government, while giving lip service to The Constitution at every inauguration. Phooey! Be afraid. Be very afraid. November is coming.
Comment by Karl Uppiano — July 3, 2012 @ 11:24 pm
Is that list really from the declaration of independence*, or did someone replace it with a list of the stuff Obama’s been doing this past 3 years?
*yes, I know it is.
Comment by Caged Insanity — July 3, 2012 @ 11:40 pm
Obama is guilty of most of the enumerated offenses , and, manifestly, WANTS to be guilty of the rest!
Comment by Lucius Severus Pertinax — July 3, 2012 @ 11:57 pm
Hello, my friends in U.S. of A.
Congratulations on this 4th of July!!
From Brazil
Comment by Maria Edi — July 4, 2012 @ 3:29 am
I’m feelin’ sorta usurped these daze.
Comment by Paul Moore — July 4, 2012 @ 3:42 am
I’m sorry Mr. Franklin. We were apparently unable to keep it more than 236 years
Comment by Stick — July 4, 2012 @ 4:43 am
Thanks, Claire, for the whole thing. The “complaints” are Important. It’s easy to forget the real reasons for our desire to separate.
Susan Lee
Comment by Susan Lee — July 4, 2012 @ 5:44 am
Joseph Hewes (NC) was one of my wife’s distant relations.
We get a chuckle watching his portrayal every 4th watching the musical “1776″.
Comment by TimO — July 4, 2012 @ 5:54 am
Claire: I haven’t read that for a while, but I did today!
Thank you,
Hog Whitman
Comment by Hog Whitman — July 4, 2012 @ 6:04 am
And speaking of Holy Shit! (we were speaking about that, weren’t we?), I almost forgot to include this timeless classic from Rhett and Link. It’s a 4th of July must!
Comment by Hog Whitman — July 4, 2012 @ 6:20 am
As I am a part of it, I am confident that there will be a National TEA PARTY Addendum to this, the original declaration. WE the American People will once again arise to meet the Liberal threat to OUR beloved country; of that I have no doubt.
It is difficult for some not to feel that events, now confronting us, are the beginning of an end to the greatest experiment the world has ever seen. Not this child; no. fucking. way! And I am far from alone…..From Rick Santelli in 2009 all the way to here in Nevada County and many, many places in between, there arose several millions of decent and honest concerned American citizens who came together and created a common sense way in which to “Restore America” to honor and abide by the same words and deeds of our Founding Fathers.
It was not easy for them nor will it be easy for us, They risked their fortunes and their very lives to make a United States of America. WE vow to do the same and we WILL!
Let us celebrate this 4th of July and those that are sure to follow. I believe with all my heart and mind that all of us here and in the expanse of this original and uniquely exceptional nation will “Make it so!”
God Bless America.
Comment by Colonel Jerry USMC — July 4, 2012 @ 6:48 am
Thanks Colonel Jerry. After the Romney “not a tax” fiasco, I was feeling kind of depressed.
I’m good now.
Ready to rumble.
Comment by Stick — July 4, 2012 @ 7:08 am
And if you haven’t got all your 4th of July shopping done yet, there’s still a bunch of last-minute close-outs to be had!
Comment by Hog Whitman — July 4, 2012 @ 7:39 am
And God Bless America again! It almost makes me want to drive to Reno, and shoot me a librul, just to wa-aaatch him die.
Unfortunately, I guess that’s still illegal in Nevada, so I think I’ll just spend a quiet afternoon with my 1½ cats.
And besides, with the price of gasoline double the amount it used to be about, oh, 4-years ago, who can afford to drive to Reno!?
Comment by Hog Whitman — July 4, 2012 @ 7:57 am
Thanks, Claire, I read it aloud for the first time in years and will take copies to share with the family this afternoon. Maybe start a new tradition. . .
Comment by mech — July 4, 2012 @ 8:28 am
Are there any motels left in Reno that still take cats?
Sorry… I was just wonderin’
Comment by Hog Whitman — July 4, 2012 @ 8:29 am
Thank you Claire.
It is difficult to not become disheartened these days.
A reminder from whence we came is a good thing.
Comment by Melissa In Texas — July 4, 2012 @ 9:15 am
I am proud to be from a small town that was home to both Francis Hopkinson and Thomas Paine.
Comment by MCPO — July 4, 2012 @ 9:27 am
Don’t forget Declaration 2.0
Just updated a few names.
Comment by mech — July 4, 2012 @ 9:35 am
Thank you, Claire.
Maria Edi (4)
If your countrymen ever bug you about about your admirable political insight, quote ‘em this:
By the ballot and by constitutional amendment of course,
but in any case …
This passage should remind us that electoral cheating is treason, because any government so formed wields unjust power without our consent and is, therefore, “destructive of these ends.” It is illegitimate.
The FedGov does not exist as a state of nature nor as a creation of God. It was created by the People and the States at the stroke of a pen and is maintained by the ballot and our consent. If it is maintained by illegitimate ballot or against our consent, then it is no longer a republican form of government but just another tyrannical Old-World type; and the Declaration of Independence applies once again.
CI(2), LSP (3), Susan Lee (7)
I suspect the next one’s list of grievances will be longer and uglier.
Comment by DougM (jackassophobe) — July 4, 2012 @ 9:56 am
DougM: “… deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”
Two points there:
(1) Just powers
(2) Consent of the governed
Fail on both counts.
Chris Muir nails it again.
Comment by ZZMike — July 4, 2012 @ 12:15 pm
On our country’s birthday, I took a look at the Declaration and the offenses enumerated in that document that drove the Founders to separate from Great Britain and its King. It looks to me, as some above have noted, like our current government is guilty of many of the same things that drove us to war 236 years ago, and in some cases to a greater degree. Some of the following occurred under Bush Jr. in the aftermath of 9-11, but Uhbama not only continues the offensive behavior long after that tragic event, but cranks up the volume and adds offenses of his own.
Others may be more detailed or eloquent, but here is my take:
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
Ex.: suing Arizona for its illegal alien law, allowing voter intimidation, ignoring contract law in bailing out GM
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
Ex.: Uhbamacare meetings at night, locking Republicans out and attempting questionable procedures such as ‘deeming passed’ to pass the bill, announcing executive orders late Friday evenings to avoid news reports.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
Ex.: DHS, TSA, czars, appointments without Senate approval, 11 agencies, departments and panels in Uhbamacare, new taxes with delayed benefits.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
Ex.: DHS, “a domestic army of 250,000″, 16,000 new IRS agents, arming Dept of Education and IRS, 450,000,000 rounds of ammunition for DHS, civilian drones for domestic surveillance, self written search warrants.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
Ex.: DHS, TSA freely violate 1st and 4th Amendment protections
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation.
Ex.: Patriot Act, DHS, attempting to put us under World Court and UN jurisdiction
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States.Ex.: Claiming executive privilege in the investigation of the murder of Border Patrol Agent Terry
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world.
Ex.: By making manufacturing in the USA non-competitive through taxes and regulations
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.
Ex.: there are at least 21 new taxes in Uhbamacare, and he attempted to pass a Carbon Tax and Cap and Trade.
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury.
Ex.: The most recent Defense Appropriation act has a clause allowing the Executive to arrest and imprison a US citizen without charge or trial
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments.
Ex.: I don’t have much Hope, but there is plenty of Change, for the worse. Uhbama has stated he doesn’t like our Constitution
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
Ex.: Uhbamacare imposed spending on States without the consent of the States.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
Ex.: After unofficially ignoring illegal alien invasions, Uhbama officially told Arizona they were on their own after the recent SCOTUS decision on the Arizona immigration law.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
Ex.: Uhbama has made a career of exploiting group identity and class warfare politics. He continues that and further encourages illegal aliens, drug cartels among them, to flaunt our laws, rob our treasuries and bankrupt public services from both government and private institutions.
A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
With a Congress who actually adhered to their oath of office, this malignant buffoon Uhbama would be impeached, tried and imprisoned.
Comment by dick, not quite dead white guy — July 4, 2012 @ 1:10 pm
As I remember, my Marine Officer’s Oath had no expiration date, and I swore to defend the Constitution against enemies foreign and domestic.
When and if the time comes, there are a Lot of us out here.
G-d Bless America…….
Comment by Wollf — July 4, 2012 @ 4:25 pm
What Wollf said, ‘cept I was just a corporal.
Comment by dick, not quite dead white guy — July 4, 2012 @ 5:19 pm
dick, nqdwg, Wollf and others: As I’ve said before, I don’t believe that part of the oath had an expiration date, just a date after which I was no longer required to “preserve, protect and defend” 24/7.
Or as one recruiter “joked”: “If we ever see Russian submarines at the bridge in Vicksburg, we’ll give ya a call.”
Comment by rickn8or — July 4, 2012 @ 6:30 pm
Happy independence day all! I hope yours was as enjoyable as mine.
Thanks for the post Claire! (My local paper published it in the community section)
I like your examples, Dick. It’s pretty telling when you see the parallels.
Colonel Jerry, SIR!!! There’ a whole lot more of us than there is of them!
Maria Edi, thank you! It’s nice to see you pop in from time to time.
Comment by Paladin — July 5, 2012 @ 5:14 am
I had some encouragement while visiting my small UP home town for da Fortchuly–Generations of staunch Democrats for the workers are mad as hell at what’s happened to our country– Freedom and America comes first!!
Very good posts by everyone– as usual–
Comment by geezerette — July 5, 2012 @ 9:47 am
What Wolff said; . . . ‘cept I was just an NCO.
Comment by MCPO — July 5, 2012 @ 2:13 pm
Amen, Wollf (23)
Comment by DougM (November is coming) — July 5, 2012 @ 6:11 pm